Zoo Atlanta Zoo Atlanta 2012-2013

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pscommodore2006

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Some recent news items for Zoo Atlanta:

Zoo Atlanta recently announced that one of its golden lion tamarins is expecting: Robin the golden lion tamarin is expecting! The birth is expected sometime in the spring.

The zoo's alligator exhibit, which consists of a swampy pond containing a single alligator and numerous turtles and frogs, has developed a water leak that will force the zoo to close the exhibit: The Zoo Atlanta Keeper Blog (see blog dated February 23, 2012). I know last year there was a report on the website that an underwater den dug by the alligator had caused the water to drain out of the pond, but I don't know if this is related to the more recent problem. The alligator will be moved to a zoo in Florida and the turtles will be relocated to ponds and lakes in public parks around Atlanta.

Finally, I believe it has been mentioned in another thread that the Zoo's sole Rabb's fringe-limbed treefrog was euthanized on Friday, February 17. This frog was one of two remaining in the world (both of which were male). The frog was only recently discovered in Panama and its population has been decimated by a fungus there. The sole remaining frog is located at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. More information can be found here: It’s Leap Year. Remember the Rabbs’ tree frog.
 
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Zoo Atlanta officials have started a program where visitors have the opportunity to feed select zoo animals, including pandas.
 
Hi i'm new to the forum, I went to Zoo atlanta last week for the first time and experienced the Komodo feeding. It was amazing!!! It took about a half hour and can have up to 10 people in a group (ours had 7) they took us into the Komodo holding building where the tour guide and one keeper gave a short informational talk. After the talk they led us to the room where we met Slasher their 19 year old Komodo. Every person gets to feed Slasher, that day's treat was mice, They give you long tounges with a chain and handle attached. When you feed Slasher there was a yellow line you could not cross and then you placed the mouse between the mesh of the door where Slasher took it. The keeper and guide were very nice and allowed us to take all the pictures we wanted, if any one would like me to post some of the pics I can do so. After the photo session and feeding there was a Q and A then we went on our way after that. It was one of the coolest zoo experiences I have ever done and will do it agian the next time i'm back at Zoo Atlanta.
 
jusko88 said:
does zoo atlanta still have the raccoon dog?
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They do not have one on exhibit currently, as far as I know. They had an elderly female on exhibit which passed away sometime in January or February. Last I knew the zoo was working on acquiring new Tanuki from somewhere in Europe.
 
Original thread is three years old and getting long, so I am starting a new one. Great article with the director and the end of it mentions they have raised 17 million out of a needed 20 million for a new reptile complex. Looks like we are in the age of the great reptile houses (following Fort Worth and Los Angeles). Glad to see this previously underappreciated taxon is finally getting its due.

Zoo Atlanta CEO: ‘I’m thankful for my cancer’ | The Biz Beat
 
The Reptile House at Zoo Atlanta has been gestating for a long time, and the link below has an article from just over a year ago with a few minor details of the plans. The area set aside for the construction will be 1.5 acres, and the actual building will be 18,000 square feet in size. That doubles the current structure as it is 9,000 square feet in size, and yet I recall an impressive collection from my 2008 visit.

Zoo Atlanta snaps up its largest gift ever | SaportaReport
 
I think I've read on here that raccoon dogs aren't commonplace in America, so if that is the case then the following is good news:
Atlanta zoo welcomes pair of raccoon dogs - AP State Wire News - The Sacramento Bee
14 August 2012

The Atlanta zoo is welcoming a new pair of raccoon dogs.

The 2-year-old brothers, Loki and Thor, recently joined Zoo Atlanta from a wildlife park in Italy. Raccoon dogs are native to eastern Asia with some populations having been introduced in parts of Europe.

They are also known as tanuki and are named for their resemblance to raccoons, not because they're a close relation. They belong to the same family that includes coyotes, wolves and domestic dogs. But they're the only canids that hibernate in the winter.

The species isn't currently classified as endangered, but their numbers have been declining in recent years in Asia because of human encroachment and commercial hunting for fur.
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As a Zoo Atlanta member, I am very glad to read this. The zoo had an elderly raccoon dog that passed away at the end of last year. I just assumed that they wouldn't replace her since raccoon dogs are so rare in the US. Her exhibit has been used for tortoises for the last several months, so it will be nice to see raccoon dogs back at the zoo.
 
An interesting side note, this is not Lulu's first born. Born in August of 1999, she conceived in 2005 at the age of 5, and gave birth at the age of 6 in November 2005. The baby did not survive, but it is interesting and slightly alarming to see that she conceived and maintained a pregnancy at this age.
 
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